Code Purple Air Quality Action Day in Chester County — July 17, 2026
Statewide Code Purple for PM2.5 on July 17, 2026, due to smoke from Minnesota and Canada wildfires; vulnerable people should avoid outdoor activity and residents can call 211 for assistance.
The Chester County Health Department warns that the Pennsylvania DEP has declared a statewide Code Purple Air Quality Action Day for particulate matter (PM2.5) on Friday, July 17, 2026, affecting Chester County because of smoke from wildfires in Minnesota and Canada. Residents should avoid strenuous outdoor activities; sensitive groups (children, older adults, people with asthma, lung or heart conditions) should stay indoors, outdoor workers should take frequent breaks in clean air and consider N95/KN95 masks, and anyone needing shelter or services can contact the Chester County Human Needs Network by calling 211 or texting their ZIP to 898-211 — monitor conditions at airnow.gov. Notice provided by the Chester County Health Department and posted by Parkesburg Borough Police Department.